Save The Former Olinda Golf Course from Sporting Development

Save the Former Olinda Golf Course from Sporting Development.The Hills Common Alliance

Help us petition Parks Victoria and our elected representative in the Victorian Government, James Merlino MP, to keep this rare common land available for all the community to enjoy.

Since the closure of the golf course in 2012, the common land has become a vibrant place for the community to enjoy hilltop views to the distant mountain ranges, majestic trees and vibrant bird and wildlife, having picnics, walking dogs and socialising. Koalas, the occasional kangaroo, wallabies, wombats, and many nocturnal marsupials, powerful owls, lyrebirds and rare Gang-Gang Cockatoos are all to be found on the common land. The large, flat, open space at the top (rarely found in the Hills) is the only easily accessible section for many people, particularly the elderly and those with very young families.

Parks Victoria’s “Olinda Precinct Plan 2017” proposes initially spending $4.72 million of public money including a second AFL sized oval in the community. The second oval is unnecessary and has been earmarked for the large flat space - restricting access to the public and changing the natural environment people enjoy - along with major earthworks and removal of old trees. Floodlights, fencing, support buildings and carparks have not been ruled out long term.

Two underutilised ovals already exist at nearby Kalorama, with lights, and Ferny Creek, however, don’t appear to have been considered as alternatives. The junior footballers already have access to the Olinda Primary School’s oval, another alternative for consideration.

Sign the petition to let local member James Merlino MP know people want to keep this beautiful, common land open and accessible for all to enjoy and to spend public money where it’s needed & necessary for the benefit the broader Hills community.